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The wait is almost over! On May 11, 2011, the NASCAR Hall of Fame will open in Uptown Charlotte!
Visit www.nascarhall.comfor all the latest information on this fantastic addition to the Charlotte region! |
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Corporate Member of the Quarter: |
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Thunder Road Marathon...The Thunder Road Marathon, one of our Silver Members, is one of the most visible and successful sporting events the Queen City has ever experienced. Tim Rhodes and his staff make this ultimate road race, a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, a true test for the thousands who will be competing this coming December 11th in the 6th annual event.
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NEW
MEMBERS! |
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Welcome New Team Players:
Ben Team
Kevin Bertelsen
Kevin McGinnis | |
| CHARLOTTE REGIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION
Board of Directors
Mike Crum
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
Chairman
Sally Ashworth
Visit Lake Norman
Jim Bailey
Red Moon Marketing
Peter Guelli
Bobcats Sports & Entertainment
David Johnston
GYB Entertainment
Johnson & Wales University
Tim Crist
Wachovia Corporation
Tom Donaldson
McGuire Woods LLP
Group
Jim Garges
Mecklenburg Co. Park & Rec.
Vicki Hamilton
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Kym Hougham
Quail Hollow
Championship
Stephen Joyner
Johnson C. Smith Athletics
Ron Kimble
City of Charlotte
Jeannie King
Queens University of Charlotte
Tony Leonard
BDO Seidman
Steve Luquire
Luquire George Andrews
Jim Murphy
Davidson College Athletics
Chuck Price
Bank of America
Dan Rajkowski
Charlotte Knights
Judy Rose
Charlotte 49ers Athletics
Carl Scheer
Charlotte Checkers
Marcus Smith
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
Henry Thomas
Carolina Panthers
Frank Yoho
Piedmont Natural Gas |
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| Please visit the following websites for local sports schedules: |
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NEED SPORTS?
www.charlottesports.org | |
Greetings!
TO CHARLOTTE SPORTS COMMISSION MEMBERS & FRIENDS:
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Message From Jeff Beaver, Executive Director
It's no secret that there has been a lot happening recently that has already had and will have a major effect on the Charlotte sports scene going forward. Michael Jordan has become the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, promising his undivided attention to the team and its success the rest of this year and into the future. We are getting ready for the much-awaited grand opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame later in May. We will be hosting the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Nationals at Johnson C Smith University and, later in August, the 2010 USGA Women's Amateur Golf Championship at the prestigious Charlotte Country Club. Our Charlotte Checkers have announced they are moving up to "AAA status" and will be affiliated with the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes next season, a move that can only be good for ice hockey and hockey fans from here to Raleigh. We just hosted a nationally recognized professional bass fishing tournament at Lake Norman, the FLW Tour/ National Guard Open, as well as a soccer friendly exhibition between the National Teams from Mexico and Iceland that practically sold out Bank of America Stadium. The Charlotte Knights played host to their parent organization, the Chicago White Sox, in an exhibition that kicked off the baseball season and, of course, the month of May will bring us a number of NASCAR's elite events which make the Charlotte Region the racing capital of the world.
On a sad note, fan favorite Bobby Lutz was not retained after a disappointing 2009/ 2010 season as head coach of the Charlotte 49ers men's basketball team. And, in a rebuilding effort, the Panthers released a number of players...Jake Delhomme and Brad Hoover were released after stellar careers and Julius Peppers signed with the Chicago Bears after a great career here.
So, it's true that we have experienced the good and the bad...the hoped-for and the unexpected...and yet the light is still shining bright on our sports landscape. Charlotte and our partners in our Region continue to attract new and exciting events for our citizens to experience, as witnessed by the State Games of North Carolina in June and the ACC Football Championship coming in December. We will soon be deciding on putting our Local Organizing Committees together to go after the CIAA and Southern Conference Basketball Tournaments... and, we have already been chosen to host the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball 1st and 2nd Round Tournament in 2011.
We continue to grow...with new facilities and new partners...to make our Region ever better as a Sports Center for events of all kinds. It is because of fans like you and because of partners like those with whom we are so fortunate to work that we look forward rather than backwards. Thanks for your
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Fight Night 2010
Our 11th annual Fight Night for Kids was held January 28th in the Grand Ballroom of the Charlotte Convention Center. As you have read previously, we were on the cusp of having raised nearly $1,000,000 for local children's charities over the first 10 years of this event, and 2010 saw that dream come true! As a result of the proceeds generated this year, we have recently made grants to 13 deserving organizations, raising the total awards to $1,011,800, which has been distributed to a total of 47 different charities since 2000.
We are especially thankful for the support of this year's sponsors...the NRA, Perry's at SouthPark, Sprint, Bojangles, and Brown Foreman...as well as the generous help from our partners at Ascension Aviation, East Coast Entertainment, Fight Lab Promotions, the Hilton Charlotte Center City, the Tinder Box, Rose Chauffeured Limousines and North American Lawn and Landscape. And , of course, a big thank you goes out to everyone in attendance as well as the fantastic donors who made this year's auctions and our brand new Golden Ticket Raffle so successful. |
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Upcoming Events - it's May Madness!
The Quail Hollow Championship is April 26 - May 2, 2010 at the beautiful Quail Hollow Club. Kym Hougham, his staff and a thousand or so volunteers are planning to make this the best ever. New hospitality packages are available this year, so take a look and don't miss one of Charlotte's premier events.
NASCAR takes center stage starting on May 11th with the opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. But the fun keeps on going with:
Racing also takes place on the water as the 26th Annual Charlotte UltraSwim returns to the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, May 13-16, 2010. Many Olympians will compete again this year - possibly the best field in the history of the event!
The 2010 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships will be held May 27-29 at the Irwin Belk Sports Complex on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University. JCSU hosted this same event in 2007 and was cited for the fantastic job that was done in making the Championship such a success. Student-athletes from every corner of the United States will converge on Charlotte during perhaps the most active month of the year for sports of all kinds. The teams will be treated to a banquet, the chance to compete on a super facility as well as the opportunity to see the Queen City at its best. For more information and tickets call 704-378-1091 or visit www.goldenbullsports.com. |
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Noteworthy... 
The 3rd Annual Hog Jog is coming right up! Hog Jog has become a sensation in Charlotte's running community because of the post race party, great route and the famous Bloody Mary contest! And, new for 2010, Hog Jog will offer a 10K in addition to the 5K!! Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 11th.
Save The Date...
Reserve your raft now for the 5th annual River Roar Corporate Raft Race at the US National Whitewater Center. Join us on Friday, June 11th as we see who is the fastest, and slowest, to make it down the competition channel. Once again this year, participants will receive all the benefits of the All Sport Pass, rock climbing, flat water kayaking, mountain biking and the zip line. Awards will be distributed and cold beverages will be provided. Contact Chris Clouden for pricing and sponsorship opportunities, 704-688-8531 or cclouden@charlottesports.org.
Save The Date...
The 24th Annual Powerade State Games of North Carolina return to Charlotte and will take place from June 18 - June 27. We are expecting 14,000+ athletes to participate in 27 sports. Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, June 18th at Carowinds Amusement and Water Park. For more information including how to register, please visit www.ncsports.org. To volunteer, please visit www.charlottesports.org/calendar.asp.  |
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Follow, Join, and Connect!
The Charlotte Regional Sports Commission has gone social! Network with us online through Twitter (CLTsports), Facebook, and LinkedIn. We hope to keep you more up-to-date with information about the Charlotte sports marketplace and our own CRSC initiatives!
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The Dr. Pepper ACC Football Championship is coming to Charlotte in 2010 & 2011!
Individual tickets for the 2010 ACC Football Championship go on sale to the public on April 15! Be sure to get your tickets while they last. Also, if you want to help youth football in the area you can purchase 40 upper level tickets to be donated to youth football teams! Call the Championship Game office at 704-378-4440 for more details! |
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Irish Creek Collegiate Golf Classic
After eleven years at Birkdale and The Palisades, the Sports Commission's Collegiate Golf Classic is excited to announce their new home- The Club at Irish Creek. Irish Creek, crafted from land that was formerly home to Kannapolis Country Club, is a stunning 18-hole Davis Love III Signature Golf Course set into a dramatic, rolling terrain that takes full advantage of a pristine 400-acre lake, mature forest, and natural contours of the area.
This year's Irish Creek Classic field is made up of teams from the Southeast (Charlotte, Campbell, Davidson, Belmont Abbey and Kennesaw State) along with other schools from outside the region (Ohio State, Marquette, and Miami of Ohio) to create a true national flavor to the Classic. Practice day for the teams will be Friday, April 2, with Rounds 1 and 2 (36 holes) beginning with a 8:30 shotgun start on Saturday, April 3. The Classic will conclude with an 18-hole final round beginning at 8:30am on Sunday, April 4.
Thanks to Cabarrus Economic Development, who is presenting sponsor of the 2010 event. We also appreciate our other sponsors: Cabarrus County CVB, R.T. Dooley, BB & T, Harris Teeter, Jim 'n Nicks Bar B Q, Coca Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Greater Golf Express, Bojangles, Lance and Sabona. Local university golf teams from Charlotte, Davidson, and Belmont Abbey will serve as host teams for the tournament. |
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FLW Tour/National Guard Open
Local angler Bryan Thrift, of Shelby, completely dominated the FLW Tour/National Guard Open professional fishing tournament last weekend at Lake Norman. Thrift, who has spent years fishing Lake Norman, used his knowledge and experience to outfish his nearest competitor by nearly 9 pounds! By catching a total weight of 58 pounds and 5 ounces, Thrift was presented a check for $127,500. Couldn't make it out? Watch a replay May 2 from 12:30 - 1:30 PM alongside 500+ million international subscribers in HD on Versus and the World Fishing Network (WFN)!
Lake Norman has hosted the FLW Tour/National Guard Open for 4 consecutive years. This event, which brings 200 anglers, family and fans to the area, generates an estimated economic impact of $1.5 million per year.
Visit Lake Norman, Visit Charlotte, Charlotte Sports Commission, Cabarrus County CVB, and Mecklenburg County Park and Rec served as local sponsors of the tour stop.
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